- Currency Converter Manual -

The Currency Converter can use either Pacific or IMF as source for Internet-updates. Pacific uses some 220 currencies including the Euro and the Euroland currencies. However the Euro and the Euroland currencies are not linked in the converter. Pacific itself uses the fixed-rates so no problem there - as long as you don't manually edit the Euroland-currencies exchange-rates yourself in the converter.

IMF is also still implemented in the program but this source only has about 50 currencies with all the Euroland currencies fixed to the Euro. By default Pacific Commerce is used by the program.

User-tab

This first tab-sheet is for converting to and from your preferred currencies. Select your preferred currency in the Settings-tab. (Make sure you save your changes) Just enter the amount of money in one of the boxes and the program does the math. The Copy and Paste buttons are for copying and pasting to the clipboard. With these functions, you can easily convert money from spreadsheets or other documents.

World-tab

On the second-tab, you can convert between the other selected currencies. Enter the amount on the left, select the currency in the left combobox. Then, in the right combo-box select the currency you want it in and done. Want to convert something back? Just press the 'switch'-button and enter the amount.

Settings-tab

This is the command-center. With this tab you can change about every setting in the program. The settings-tab is devided into four categories.

User: With these two comboboxes, you can select your prefered currencies for the User-tab.

Decimals: Select the number of decimals you want to use (0..5) and if you want to use a decimal point or comma and if you want to use number-grouping.

Proxy: Enter the proxy server in the proxy-field and enter the port. If you want to use the proxy then check the 'Use Proxy'-checkbox. If you want to update from the harddisk, then check 'Use file'. If you check the auto-update option, the first time you start the program on the day, it will automatically start the updating-routine.

The rest: Check the two 'at exit' boxes if you want to save your settings and/or rates. Also, select which source you want to use in the Source-combobox.

Rates-tab

The Rates-tab is the 4th tab. Not all 220 currencies are in use by default. You can manually select which of the currencies you want to use regularly. Check the boxes in front of the currency-names in the Rates-tab. It will then add them automatically to the combo-boxes in the program. If you don't see these boxes (some version of Win95 seem to have a problem with that) then right-mouseclick on a currency you want to use, and select 'Use'.

Also, you can update the Exchange rates from the Internet IMF-site here, by pressing the 'Internet Update'-button. You can also edit the Exchange-rate manually by pressing the right button on the currency you want edited. If you want to save the updated exchange rates remember pressing the Save-button, or select 'save rates at exit' in the setting-tab. If you edit the rates manually, enter the amount of money you would pay for one US$. It's even possible to add your own currencies in this tab. You do have to update it yourself then, of course.

About-tab

The fifth tab has some legal information. Be sure to read that. It says something like 'No warranties, your risk.' DO read it carefully though. You can also find my name, program version, release date and a copyright-notice there - as well as the source-URL for downloading your own rates-file if you want to use the Update-from-file option.

- Frequently Asked Questions -

My currency isn't showing in the program?
Most likely your currency isn't selected for use yet. Go to the Rates-tab and locate your currency. Make sure the box in front of the name is checked. If you don't see a box, then right-mouseclick on the currency-name and make sure there is a v in front of the 'Use' option.

How do I use the only-update function?
If you only want to program to update your currencies and then close again, use the /update parameter. Start the program like this 'currconv /update'.

I keep getting a 'Error: 200 OK' message when I update. What is that?
That is what is called a bug. Perhaps it works if you try updating again. If not, please e-mail me about it.

How can I use the offline-update function?
You can now also download the html-files with your browser and update it from your harddisk. Make sure you check 'use file' in the settings-tab.
For IMF: Load http://www.imf.org/external/np/tre/sdr/drates/8101.htm with your browser and save the HTM-file as '8101.htm'
For Pacific: Load http://pacific.commerce.ubc.ca/xr/rates.html and save the file as 'rates.html'.
Then go to the Rates-tab and press Internet-update. The program will then show you the Open-file dialog. Make sure you load the correct file. I don't do any file-checking before loading it in. Loading the wrong files will most likely cause some big errors.

When I press the Internet-update button, an open-file dialog pops up.
I want the Internet-update to work from the Internet!
Try unchecking the 'use file' option in the Settings-tab.

I have to use User authentication with my proxy. How do I do that?
If you proxy uses Basic User Authentication, a dialog-box will automatically pop-up asking you for you username and password. If you entered this, then try updating again and it should work. If your proxy uses a different way of user authentication, most likely my program doesn't work with your proxy.

When I update my currencies, next time I start the program the currencies aren't updated anymore?
Try saving your changes after the Internet-update. Or check the 'save rates at exit'-checkbox in the settings-tab.

I only get about 11 european currencies?
Most likely my program can't locate the .rates files from the zip. Try installing it again and make sure all files from the zip are installed correctly. Also, make sure you installed the Freeware Currency Converter and not the 'Euro Converter'.

I can't select the U. S. Dollar from IMF?
Update to the most recent version.

I keep getting an 'No update' message when I update?
Get the latest version of the program.